PC Neale said last year he saw new bikes given on Christmas Day being confiscated by Boxing Day. And both parents and teenagers then faced court proceedings.

He said: "These mini motorbikes cannot legally be ridden on roads, pavements, in parks or on public open space anywhere within the city. Unless you have access to private land and have written consent from the owner allowing a bike to be ridden across their land, then you are breaking the law."

Last summer 60 of the bikes were seized in Coventry following complaints about antisocial and dangerous behaviour.

In some parts of the country people have been knocked down and killed by the bikes. And there have been a number of accidents in Coventry.

The rise in the use of the bikes immediately after Christmas is what worries PC Neale. He feels 11 to 15-year-olds will inevitably end up getting penalty points on a driving licence even before they are old enough to apply for one.

Police are stopping more offenders than ever since Coventry City Council funded six full-sized off-road motorbikes, which help officers to catch and arrest riders.

Yesterday, marked the destruction of the 200th bike confiscated since the anti mini motorbike campaign began in July last year.

To report the use of mini motorbikes, contact police on 0845 113 5000.